as 



MR. GOODRICH'S ADDRESS, 



AN 



4iii; 



DELIVERED 



BKFOHE THtJ 



HARTFORD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



OCTOBER 12th, 182C. 



BY REV. CHARLES A. GOODRICH. 



HARTFORD : 

TRINTED BT GOODWIN & CO. 

1826. 



$5&\ 



3* 



At the Annual Meeting of the Hartford County Agricultural Society, held at the 
State-House, October \1th, 1826. 

Voted — That Enoch Perkins and Ward Woodbridge, Esqrs. be a committee 
to present the thanks of this Society to the Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, for his 
Address this day delivered, and to request a copy thereof for publication. 

Attest. B. VV. BIRGE, Recording Secretary. 



Hartford, October 16th, 1826. 
Reverend Sir — 

In behalf of the Hartford County Agricultural Society, the undersigned 

Committee present to you the thanks of the Society for the Address which vou 

delivered before them on the l.'th instant; and request a copy of the same for 

publication. Permit us to add that the Society were very much pleased with the 

Address, and believe the publication of it will tend to pro ote the important 

objects of iheir Institution. We annex a copy ot the Society's vote on this 

subject ; and are very respectfudy, 

Reverend Sir, your obedient servants, 

ENOCH PERKINS, 

W. WOODBRIDGE. 

Rev. C. A. Goodrich. 

Berlin, November 25th, 1826. 
Messrs. Enoch Perkins and Ward Woodbridge, Esqrs. 

Gentlemen — The attentions which I have recently been called to pay to a 
highly esteemed relation, during a protracted illness, have prevented my replying 
to yours of the 16th ultimo, until this late date. I thank you for the indulgent 
manner in which you have noticed the \ddress ; and in presenting a copy for 
publication, I have only to regret that it falls so far short of my own wishes, and 
may be found to be very deficient by the members of the Society, on perusal. 
If, however, it shall " tend to promote the important objects of the Institution" 
jn any degree, I will not regret its publication. 
I remain, Gentlemen, 

Your very obedient servant, 

CHARLES A. GOODRICH 



ADDRESS. 

■* ►»*©•«« 

Mr. President, 

and Gentlemen of the Society. 

OCarcely half a century has elapsed, since the commence- 
ment of the present system of giving an impulse to agriculture 
and mechanical efforts, by Shows and Honorary Rewards. 
This short period, however, has elicited ihe opinion of many 
in their favor, and given to agricultural societies and their 
exhibitions, no small influence in the civilized world. Fifty 
millions of men, in Europe and America, are now their 
advocates. In England, societies of this description are 
numerous and efficient. Three establishments only, in the 
United Kingdoms, annually expend, in the promotion of 
agricultural objects, the sum of $70,000. France has nearly 
one hundred annual shows, besides a national exhibition at 
Paris, once in three years, whose lists of premiums alone, 
would fill, it is said, an octavo volume of 350 pages. In the 
United States, in the short space of about twenty years, 
agricultural societies have increased from a single one to 
between fifty and sixty. Among the patrons of these socie- 
ties, too, both here and abroad, are to be found men of the 
most cultivated and enlightened minds, of deep philosophical 
yesearch and practical skill, and of the highest official rank. 
Surely, such men as Madison, Quincy, Pickering, Powel. 
Lincoln, and Peters, not to mention many distinguished 



names in Europe, would not lightly favor a system, designed 
only to amuse a rabble, or destined to be ephemeral in its 
existence and influence. If public opinion, then, be any 
test — if the sanction of the wise and great, carries any weight, 
it must be admitted, that too much importance has not yet 
been given to agricultural societies. 

The exhibitions of such societies are always connected 
with much that is interesting and instructive. Is the farmer 
an admirer of the animal creation ? He here sees domestic 
animals, both native and imported, of the finest forms and 
choicest qualities. Is he an admirer of the vegetable produc- 
tions of the earth ? Here are exhibited specimens, which 
shew, that if in the sweat of his brow, man must toil, a 
munificent providence does not let him toil in vain. Is he 
pleased with exhibitions of mechanical skill ? Here are imple- 
ments, the result of genius, of patient, persevering industry, 
which will abridge his labors ; and here, too, are proofs, not 
the fewest, nor the meanest, that the daughters of our land 
can put their " hands to the spindle," and are not ashamed 
of the " distaff." In short, the farmer has occular demon- 
stration, that if the last age of improvement has arrived, it 
has not yet made its exit from the world. The human mind 
is still ascendant. God has not prescribed a limit to the 
genius of man ; or if he have, that limit is not yet seen. 
True, we may never be able ' ; to plough by steam, nor sow 
by steam, nor by the novel combinations of the mechanic 
powers ;" yet, who has fully tested the energies of nature, 
or can yet foresee what philosophical investigation, combined 
with practical skill, may not accomplish ? Who will affirm 
that discoveries and improvements in agriculture do not await 



us, similar to those, which, in the mathematical and mechanic 
sciences, have so highly distinguished the names of Newton, 
Godfrey, Fulton, Watt, Arkwright, and Perkins ? 
Who, but twenty years since, dreamed of the results of the 
present times ? Is it too much to say, that we live in the 
dawn of a day, whose beams by their radiance, will by and 
by shew, how insignificant the light is, which we now think- 
so great ? 

But from fancy, if this be fancy, let us descend to facts. 
I ask you to notice, for a moment, some improvements, which 
have been made in this country in agriculture and its branches, 
within the last twenty years, the merit of which, must be 
accorded to Agricultural Societies. 

At the commencement of this period, the highest crops of 
potatoes were stated at 200 bushels to the acre — now, crops 
of this vegetable are not unfrequently made of from 400 to 
700 bushels. Then, the highest quantity of corn gathered 
from an acre, was from 40 to 50 bushels — now, we read of 
numerous crops of from 60 to 120 bushels, and, in a single 
instance, of one which reached 172 bushels.* In the mean 
time, many valuable roots and plants, such as the mangel 
wurtzel, the Swedish turnip, the common turnip, the carrot, 
the common beet, the cabbage, some of which were before 
scarcely known, have been introduced as general crops, and 
yield hundreds of bushels to the acre. Many new implements 
of husbandry have also been introduced, and former ones 
improved, adding greatly to the convenience and profit of 

* Messrs. J. & M.Pratt, of Easton, Madison county, New-York, in 1822, 
raised 172 \ bushels of corn, on an acre. See New-England Farmer, p. S34 — 
nlso, Farmer's Guide, p. 92. 



8 

the farmer. Our farms are better ploughed, better manured, 
better seeded, better drained, and better fenced. Numerous 
flocks of Spanish and Saxony sheep have been introduced, 
which furnish to our manufacturers the material for fabrics, 
which already rival those of Europe. Through the instru- 
mentality of some gentlemen, much zeal has been excited 
throughout the country, to improve other descriptions of 
domestic animals ; and with what success, every year fur- 
nishes proof, which must come with a welcome to those who 
have pioneered the way, at the expense of much time and 
wealth. 

The stimulus thus given to agricultural effort in the country, 
within the last twenty years, has been felt in the county 
of Hartford ; and the Ninth Anniversary Exhibition of this 
Society, gives additional evidence, that improvements here 
bear some comparison with those of other societies, in this 
and sister states. It has, indeed, been objected to farmers 
generally, and perhaps to the farmers of Connecticut particu- 
larly, " that they are slow to adopt changes and proposed 
improvements." In this they are wise. Fickleness consti- 
tutes no part of their character. New discoveries do not 
always bear the test of experiment, and blazoned improve- 
ments are not unfrequently forgotten with the year that gave 
them birth. Still, in the progress of society and of science, 
discoveries are made, and improvements suggested, to whose 
value experience attests, and which, in respect to agriculture, 
our farmers would do themselves injustice not to attend. 

In consenting to address the Society on this occasion, the 
speaker had not the arrogance to believe that he could offer 
any thing new, or particularly useful. Until within a few 



years, he has ministered in the sanctuary ; and pardon him, 
gentlemen, if standing in this consecrated place, and looking 
round on this temple of Zion, he exclaims, " If I forget thee, 
O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning ; let my 
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jeru- 
salem above my chief joy." Placed, however, in the provi- 
dence of God, in other circumstances, allow him to offer to 
the Society some thoughts, the result, he fears it will be too 
apparent, of only occasional observation, and still more limited 
experience. 

Permit me to suggest, then, in the first place, the impor- 
tance of our farmers, as a body, becoming men of more 
reading and information in their profession. It is not, indeed, 
urged as essential, that they should have made a pilgrimage 
to Parnassus, nor that they should have heard, at the winding 
up of a college course — " Admitto vos ad primum gradum." 
Nor can it be deemed necessary that they should be able to 
give a botanical description of the grains and grasses which 
they sow, or chemically to analyze the soils which they till. 
The mariner may safely guide his ship, without knowing the 
principles upon which his compass is constructed ; and the 
mechanic at the power loom, may produce the fairest fabric, 
and understand little of the philosophy of the steam engine 
which propels it. So the farmer, guided only by his own 
experience, may cultivate his lands with profit. But does it 
follow that this would not in some things be more skilfully 
done, should he avail himself of the knowledge and experi- 
ence of others ? The experience of an individual must of 
necessity be limited. He has not time, and often neither 
the requisite wealth nor capacity to institute experiments of 



10 

importance. How, then, shall his deficiencies be supplied r 
Obviously by the same means by which the deficiencies of 
the lawyer, the divine^ and the physician are supplied — by 
reading. Let the farmer, then, purchase, as he is able, a few 
well selected books on the subject of agriculture — to these 
let him add a paper, or two, devoted to the same subject, of 
which, happily, we have now several of high character — 
and to these let him devote a portion of the dark days of 
autumn, and of the long evenings of winter. From these, 
every farmer may derive many valuable hints. He will find, 
perhaps, an account of some new and useful implement of 
husbandry ; some new grass or grain ; some improvement in 
the management of a crop of corn ; some remedy for a disease 
afflicting his family horse ; or some valuable suggestion about 
wintering his sheep. Besides relieving the tediousness of 
many an hour, ordinarily unprofitably dozed away in his 
corner, he will thus be adding to his stock of useful knowl- 
edge ; and be preparing in the ensuing spring and summer, 
to bring to some profitable account the knowledge which he 
has gained. The vast improvement in Agriculture in Great 
Britain, within half a century, is attributable, in no small 
degree, to the circulation of facts and experiments, by means 
of treatises, pamphlets, and papers. It is to be hoped that 
the time is not far distant, when the farmers of this county,, 
and elsewhere, will give to this subject its merited attention. 
Mjght I venture to name a single publication, which more 
than any other seems adapted to general use among our 
f irmers, it would be that of the New-England Farmer,, a 
weekly paper, published at Boston. Its Editor is as enlight- 
ened as he is industrious, and makes his paper a vehicle of 



11 

information on Agriculture, and its kindred subjects, ol' the 
most interesting and profitable kind. 

Another point to which I beg your indulgent attention, is 
the importance of that management of a farm, which regards 
it as a whole. By a bold and vigorous effort, a farmer may, 
in a given instance, and on a favored spot, raise a crop of 
uncommon magnitude ; and yet this crop, by demanding that 
labor which is due to other parts of the farm, may, upon the 
whole, operate as a loss. No farmer should possess more 
land than he can watch over with proper care ; and his 
industry should have one uniform direction, and one ultimate 
tendency — the melioration of the whole farm. Like a wise 
father, if he have favorites, he should still discharge his duty 
to the whole circle of children. Each acre should receive 
that attention which it deserves, viewed as a member of the 
whole, and that cultivation, which will best bring its powers 
into action. Indeed, on the portions least favored by nature, 
he should, perhaps, bestow the most cultivation, on the prin- 
ciple which, it is said, parents should act in sending unlikely 
sons to college — to make them equal to the rest. It is attri- 
butable to this partial and unenlightened management, that 
so many of our farms present a chequered and unsightly 
appearance. A few particular lots are selected, which are 
cultivated with great assiduity ; while other lots are neglected 
and despised. No regard is had to the farm as a whole ; 
no system of general operations is pursued. The farmer 
gathers what he is able from these few well cultivated por- 
tions, and rests contented. By some of our farmers, the 
beauty of a farm is judged to lie much in contrast ; and hence 
some portions of their land are neglected through fear that 



12 

the bramble, the thorn, the thistle would otherwise find no 
dwelling place on earth. 

These observations apply to no part of our farms with 
more force, than to our pasture grounds. Upon these 
scarcely a thought is ever bestowed. Bushes and briars and 
thoins and thistles are suffered to usurp dominion in the very 
heart of a farm, and to show a pointed and painful authority 
over the stock — besides operating to a total loss of many 
per centum of the value of these grounds. The consequence 
is, that where a couple of acres, or even less, would keep a 
cow, several become indispensable. And after all, the 
pastures are fed close ; the dairy suffers ; and a stock of 
meagre, half-famished cattle come in in the fall, and continue 
lean and lank through the winter. A few days spent upon 
these " neglected spots" each year, would enable the farmer, 
especially if they were thrown into small enclosures, to admit 
of alternate changes of the stock, to keep more, and keep 
them in better condition. In short, were the farmer's 
attention directed more generally to his farm, as a whole, his 
sterile plains would in process of time become fertile fields ; 
his dairy would be more profitable ; his stock improved ; 
his farm be more valuable, and his reputation be rescued 
from merited reproach. 

A third point upon which I would insist, is the importance 
of a still higher cultivation of our farms. It is not an 
uncommon complaint among farmers " that the times are 
hard." Is it wonderful that with some they are so ? They 
are " hard" because their crops are small, and their crops 
are small, because they fail to bestow the proper cultivation 
upon them. Concentrated action is efficient action ; and it 



13 

is this only which gives large agricultural results. But to this 
an obstacle presents itself nearly insurmountable. Our farms 
are in general too extensive, and the labor of the farmer is 
spread over too extended a surface. And yet, instead of 
selling a single acre, most of our farmers covet many more. 
If farmers, however, would thrive, they must change their 
policy ; they must concentrate their labour ; they must give 
to a few acres the care, now usually bestowed on many ; 
and if necessary to this, they must diminish their farms. 
Many an acre of corn, and many of rye now yield only 
10 or 12 bushels, and even less. Many an acre is mowed, 
whose burden — if it may be called a burden — amounts to 
scarcely half a ton. How much wiser — how much more 
grateful, to give to these acres a proper cultivation and gather 
bushels for pecks, and nearer tons for hundreds ! This, 
I conceive, is, at present, the great error of our farmers 
generally. They adopt a diffusive, desultory mode of opera- 
tion, which keeps their lands poor, and themselves poor also. 
The only method by which the benefits of a thrifty, produc- 
tive husbandry can be enjoyed, is to change the present 
system for one more compressed and more vigorous. It 
should be written on every farm house, and in the centre of 
every lot, as a memento to its occupier — " Till but little, and 
till thoroughly.'''' 

To an efficient cultivation of a farm, two things appear to 
be particularly important — a proper rotation of crops, and a 
sufficient and proper application of manures. 

In respect to a rotation of crops, it may be observed, that 
every soil is better adapted to some kinds of plants than to 
others ; yet it possesses, it is apparent, but in a limited degree 



14 

ihe ingredients, which render it most suitable to these plants. 
Hence, if it be pursued with these plants but for a few years 
in succession, the soil becomes exhausted, leaving the land 
incapable of bearing good crops of a similar kind. But the 
same land possesses other ingredients adapted to produce 
plants of a different kind. Now, what more philosophical 
than to stop short of the point of exhaustion in respect to the 
first crop, and to apply a second of a different kind, to be 
followed by a third, a fourth, a fifth, and even a sixth, if 
necessary, until the partially exhausted powers of the soil in 
respect to the first crop be restored, by acquiring the 
ingredients essential to its production, by the decomposition 
of vegetable matter. In this way, the productive energies of 
land may be preserved to a great extent, without the appli- 
cation of manures ; and with them, may be raised to an 
indefinite extent. 

The subject of the rotation of crops has long been under- 
stood in England, and forms one of the principal excellencies 
of their system of husbandry. It begins also to be understood 
here ; and when resort has been had to it, and system 
observed in respect to it, the results have been highly 
gratifying. It is a principle, it may be added, easily under- 
stood, and is adapted to every farmer whether he have fifty 
acres, or five hundred. 

The rotation of crops will doubtless enable the fanner to 
do with a less quantity of manure, than if such rotation were 
not adopted. But no management can preclude the necessity 
of some ; and where large crops are expected, manures must 
be liberally supplied. It is not essential, indeed, that, in 
every instance, the manure should be from the yard ; — lime, 



15 

gypsum, and other substances will, on some soils, bring the 
nourishing principle into action ; but nourishment, and that 
too of the animal, or vegetable kind, must be furnished the 
plant, being as essential to its growth, as food is to the life of 
man. If the soil have not this nourishment previously, or if 
it have been exhausted, it must be supplied, either by a 
rotation of crops, which is more gradual, or by the application 
of manures, or by both. In the adoption of this last course, 
the perfection of farming, so far, seems to consist. 

Hence, let the farmer learn the importance of greater 
attention to the accumulation of manures. Let him learn, 
that when he takes a crop from his field, be it grass, or be it 
grain, just so much virtue is subducted from the soil, and just 
so much must, in some way, be returned to it, ere its pro- 
ductive powers will be as before. And, let him be as 
solicitous too to restore, as to take, if he wish not to steal 
from himself, and thus lay the foundation for the permanent 
injury of his farm. In older countries, where the population 
is more dense, and consequently a greater quantity of food is 
necessary, more economy in the accumulation of manure is 
observed. " Even house sweepings, the dust or powder of 
bones, farrier's and clothier's clippings, refuse of manufac- 
tured skins, shavings and turnings of horn, hair, woollen 
rags, and many other like substances, are carefully saved, 
and sold to farmers." In this country, necessity does not 
yet compel us to resort to such means, nor does economy 
demand it. On every side, materials of better quality abound. 
In the accumulation of manures, however, the farmer should 
have reference to the nature of the soil, for which his 
application is intended. If the soil be sandy, let his yard, 



16 

or compost heap, receive " a due portion of clay, loam, marl 
or peat ; if the soil be clayey, let him cart into his yard sand, 
lime, and such other substances as will render the soil more 
light and loose." 

In respect to the application of manures, whether in a 
fermented or unfermented state, much difference of opinion 
has existed. We have high authority, now, however, for 
believing, that " rotten manure," or that in which the fermen- 
tation is past, is inferior in virtue, and less applicable, 
particularly to tillage crops. In the process of fermentation, 
much of the volatile and most valuable part escapes; whereas, 
were the manure plowed in, and the fermentation carried on 
beneath the soil, this would be saved. Another disadvantage 
in applying fermented, or rotten manure is, the loss of heat, 
which, if produced in the soil, would accelerate the germin- 
ation of the seed, and nourish the plant, in its incipient and 
most critical state. Sir Humphrey Davy who has treated 
this subject with much observation and science, is of the 
opinion that in the process of fermentation, manures lose, 
from one half, to two thirds their weight. In this opinion, 
Mr. Young, who received the medal of the Bath Agricultural 
Society in England, for his essay on manures, and Mr. Coke, 
a distinguished agriculturist in that country, concur. Hence, 
the importance to every farmer of a stercorary, or shed, 
under which he may house his manure, to prevent fermen- 
tation and evaporation. Hence, also, manures, which are 
carried into the field in autumn, should be laid in large heaps, 
and carefully covered with earth. This will check fermen- 
tation, and prevent the escape of the carbonic acid and 
ammonia, two most valuable sources of nourishment to the 



17 

vegetable world. To test the value of the volatile part of 
manure, Sir H. Davy inserted the beak of a retort, filled with 
unfermented manure, among the roots of some grass, on the 
border of a garden. In a few days, the anticipated effect 
was apparent ; this grass assumed a most luxuriant growth ; 
yet it will be observed that from this manure it had 
received only the volatile part, no other being able to pass 
over. If this principle be correct, the practice of many of our 
farmers of getting out their manures in the spring, a month or 
two before they plow it in, is incorrect. Here exposed to the 
heat of the sun and to the wind it lies, until it is scarcely 
susceptible of being spread. As little time as practicable 
should intervene, between carting it to the field and burying it 
in the soil. 

Another subject worthy of more notice than can be here 
given to it, is the importance of an increased attention to the 
cultivation of some of the choicer kinds offniit. 

Fruit of various sorts, indeed, abounds ; but I need not 
say that most of it is of a very inferior kind — without deli- 
ciousness to the taste, and greatly obnoxious to health. 
Few things add more to the beauty of a farmer's residence, 
and nothing, surely, of this nature more to the comfort and 
pleasure of a family circle, than an enclosure of good fruit. 
Yet among farmers, and, indeed, among most classes of 
society, this source of honest joy has been culpably neglected. 
The varieties of excellent fruit within our reach are numerous, 
and at the reasonable prices at which they are afforded at our 
nurseries, few are so poor, that they cannot purchase 
sufficient to adorn and enrich their yards. To such as may 
be desirous of making a small selection, I would recommend 



18 

as among the best — of Peaches, the Anne, or Early Ann, the 
Noblesse, the Old Newington, the Yellow Rare 'Ripe, the 
Green Catharine, the Red Cheek Melacaton, the Lemon 
Clingstone and the York Rare Ripe ; — of Apples, 1 would 
mention the Early Harvest, Early Bough, Nonpareil, Newtown 
Pippin, Spitzenberg, Roxbury Russeting, Rhode Island 
Greening, and the Baldwin Apple; — of Pears, the Jergonelle, 
St. Germain, Chaumontelle, Skinless, Vergaloo, Bon Cretion, 
or Good Christian, and the Seckle ; — and of Cherries, the Black 
Tartarian, Ronald's Black Heart, May Duke, White Heart, and 
Yellow Spanish. These are but a few of the many excellent 
varieties which have been found to flourish on our soil. But, 
were a farmer about to advertise his place for sale, and could 
he only add that these varieties of fruit would be found upon it, 
would he not expect an addition to the price for the farm, 
many times exceeding the cost of the trees, and the value of 
the labour of rearing them ? If our farmers then would add 
beauty and value to their farms, let them betake themselves 
to the cultiv-ation of a good selection of fruit trees. 

With little more than an allusion to another subject, I will 
relieve your patience — I mean the want of attention to neatness 
and order about many of our farm houses. 

New-England has many points of advantage ; but in 
respect to neatness and order about her villages and farms, she 
contrasts badly with other countries. Englishmen who visit 
us, are disgusted with the appearance of our villages, for in 
their own land, they are accustomed to see them adorned b\ 
the hand of system and taste. 

Let us look to this point then. Neatness and order are 
enjoined not only by economy, but by comfort. Every 



19 

slovenly farmer resigns one of the choicest pleasures within 
his reach, that of seeing his house and home surrounded by 
the marks of neatness, industry, and taste. He brings up his 
family amidst confusion, and presents to his children an 
example of negligence the most unpardonable. Can he 
wonder if they follow this example ? They will go further — 
In their very partialities, they will have a vicious preference 
for what just taste, good sense and sound economy condemn. 
They will regard with less respect the decencies of life, and 
be more likely to abandon the paths of virtue and morality. 
There is much meaning in the old adage, and the observance 
of which, let me urge as a remedy for every degree of the 
evil I advert to — " Have a place for every thing, and keep 
every thing in its place." In the language of a venerated 
man, now gone to a better world — 

Let order o'er your time preside, 
And method all your business guide. 
One thing at once, be still begun, 
Contrived, resolv d, pursued and done ; 
Ne'er till to-morrow's light delay, 
What might as well be done to-day. 
Neat be your barns ; your houses neat, 
Your doors be clean ; your court-yards sweep ; 
Neat be your barns ; 'tis long confess'd, 
The neatest farmers are the best.* 

Finally, gentlemen, let us by every honorable and practicable 
means, endeavor to raise the credit of our profession. It is 
one which lies at the foundation of life and happiness ; and as 
such is worthy of our love, and of the respect of the world. 
Let us make it our business to give to the pursuit of 
agriculture a good and an honorable name. And as the 
means of doing this, let us as a class be intelligent, be moral, 

* President Dwight. 



20 

be industrious, and the world will accord to us our propei 
influence. 

In conclusion, I thank you for the indulgence given to 
these desultory observations. I add only a thought inspired 
by this temple, in which we are assembled to-day. Its 
spire points to heaven ; and in heaven it is that we learn 
there lies another and a better country than this. A better 
sun shines there ; and a soil watered by the river of God. 
yields fruits of immortal value, without care, and without toil. 
Animated by the hope of meeting there, let us here " sow unto 
the spirit" as the only means of" reaping life everlasting." 



